The self-styled deputy prime minister and chief of staff of the United States of Biafra (USB), Dr. Ngozi Orabueze, has shared an acknowledgement letter from the White House, complete with the autopen signature of US President Donald Trump.

Orabueze posted the letter on social media platform X on Tuesday. The letter has the template, imprimatur and wording of a ‘form letter’.

A form letter is a standardised, pre-written template used by government offices or organisations for mass communication. Informally called a ‘boilerplate’, it allows the same message to be sent to multiple recipients.

The correspondence, emblazoned with the White House letterhead, appreciated Orabueze for taking her time to write the president.

“Thank you for your letter. I appreciate you taking the time to share your views and concerns with me. Your thoughts are important, and I value the opportunity to hear from citizens like you,” it reads.

“As we work to make America great again, your input helps guide our efforts. For more information on my administration’s policies and priorities, please visit the White House website.

“Melania joins me in sending our best wishes to you and your family,” Trump wrote.

The House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, has acknowledged the need for improved funding for National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, to enable it achieve its statutory responsibility of ensuring the protection of rights of citizens of Nigeria and other nationals living in the country.

The Committee therefore pledged to support the passage of the Commission’s 2026 proposed budget and commended its numerous achievements, especially  2025 budget performance, describing it as impactful despite significant fiscal constraints and a complex human rights landscape.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Peter Abiola Makinde, states these during the Commission’s 2025 budget defence and presentation of its 2026 appropriation proposal. He acknowledged that, amid rising human rights concerns, including challenges affecting freedom of religion and other fundamental freedoms, the Commission sustained measurable progress in fulfilling its statutory mandate.

Hon. Makinde particularly noted the Commission’s ability to maintain transparency and public engagement through its Human Rights Dashboard, which provides regular updates on complaints and interventions. He assured the NHRC of the National Assembly’s continued collaboration, emphasizing the legislature’s responsibility to strengthen institutions that safeguard citizens’ rights.

Presenting the Commission’s report, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, expressed appreciation for the Committee’s support, which he said enabled the NHRC to implement most of its planned programmes and interventions in 2025.

Dr. Ojukwu disclosed that the Commission recorded over 3.7 million complaints in 2025, reflecting both increased public trust and the growing demand for rights protection. He explained that the upward trend in complaints necessitates greater investment in complaint handling, investigation, and redress mechanisms in the coming year.

The Executive Secretary also underscored the importance of institutional independence in line with the Paris Principles, which require National Human Rights Institutions to operate autonomously. He revealed that the Commission constructed eight state offices since he assumed office to deepen access to justice at the sub national level and plans to build twenty four additional offices in 2026. He further highlighted the urgent need to expand and renovate the Commission’s headquarters, noting that staff strength has tripled since 2007.

For the 2026 fiscal year, the Executive Secretary presented a proposed budget of ₦20 billion, with 33.67 percent allocated to personnel and overhead costs, and 66.33 percent earmarked for capital expenditure, demonstrating a strategic focus on infrastructure, operational expansion, and improved service delivery.

In response, the Committee expressed its readiness to support the proposed budget, while urging the Commission to consolidate its gains and continue advancing the protection and promotion of human rights across Nigeria.

Bandits have attacked Kutaho and Kugir communities in Aribi Ward of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, taking with them a Catholic priest, pregnant woman and 30 there persons.

The midnight deadly midnight attack has made residents to desert the communities in fear of possible return of the gunmen.

Confirming the incident, the Parish Priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kutaho, Linus Matthew Bobai, said fear has gripped the area, forcing over 90 percent of residents to flee to neighbouring villages for safety.

According to him, the attack occurred around 2 a.m. on Monday when armed bandits stormed the communities after earlier issuing threats and ransom demands to residents.

“Before the incident, they called one of my parishioners and demanded ₦10 million, threatening to kidnap him if he failed to comply,” Fr. Bobai said. “They claimed our people are into irrigation farming and ginger cultivation, and that means money.”

He explained that despite warnings issued to the community to remain vigilant, the bandits returned as threatened, launching a coordinated attack while he was away in Kaduna procuring textbooks for St. Joseph School.